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GHIT Fund Announces New Council Member Jeremy Farrar

The Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT Fund) is pleased to announce that Jeremy Farrar has joined the institution’s Council governing body on behalf of the Wellcome Trust, where he serves as Director. Additionally, Stephen Caddick, PhD, Director of the Wellcome Trust’s Innovations Division, is now ex-officio member of GHIT’s Board of Directors.

“I am thrilled to serve on the Council of the GHIT Fund, which I have long admired for its success in harnessing Japanese innovation for global health and the pioneering pathways it has created for cross-sector R&D collaboration for diseases predominantly affecting low- and middle-income countries,” said Dr. Farrar.

Before joining the Wellcome Trust in October 2013, Dr. Farrar spent 18 years as Director of the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam, where he focused on infectious diseases, tropical health, and emerging infections. He has published over 500 peer-reviewed scientific papers, mentored many dozens of students and fellows, and served as Chair on several advisory boards for governments and global organizations, including the World Health Organization. He was named 12th in Fortune's list of the World's 50 Greatest Leaders in 2015.

Dr. Farrar has been honored by the Royal College of Physicians in the UK and the American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. He is a Fellow of both the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Royal Society.

“We are honored to welcome Jeremy Farrar to the GHIT Fund Council. His outstanding contributions to the global understanding of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of infectious diseases prevalent in the developing world have changed the game for global health,” said BT Slingsby, CEO and Executive Director of the GHIT Fund. “He embodies the spirit of collaboration and respect for the patient, and his leadership will make a profound difference in helping GHIT amplify the impact of its innovation.”

The Wellcome Trust became a major GHIT funding partner in 2015, and in 2017 it became the leading funding for GHIT’s Target Research Platform. Dr. Stephen Caddick replaces Dr. Richard Seabrook, Head of Business Development at the Wellcome Trust, who served as the Trust’s ex-officio member on GHIT’s Board from 2015 - 2018.